A Hearing Heart"

"Therefore give to Your servant an understanding (literally, 'hearing') heart...."  (1 Kings 3:9a)

I am sending you another note about yesterday's text.  I am still "working," meditating on it.

As I wrote yesterday, this is fundamental praying.  It may sound simplistic, but prayer is a two way endeavor.  Requesting, "declaring," and "believing for" are mostly from us.  "Hearing," is listening for that, "still small voice," which we read concerning Elijah in the cave entrance.

The storm, fire, hoopla is where too many look for the Living Triune God.  "A hearing heart," will hear Jesus when a "talking" heart won't.

Father, in Jesus' Name, now and forever, I ask for, "a hearing heart."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Give To Your Servant".... What?

"Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.  For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"  (1 Kings 3:9)

Literally, "a hearing heart."  My Dear Lord God of Creation!  This is a prayer of prayers. 

Notice how the emphasis shifts from me to Jesus.  "Understanding," or wisdom, or most any other prayers for ourselves can mostly emphasize us, even be "for" us.  "A hearing heart," is for Jesus Christ, and in that shift of emphasis, priority, it is really a prayer for me also.  It shifts my life direction, my life style, my ministry (I like "service" better) to following Jesus, serving Jesus, surrendering to Jesus. 

I had a great time in intercession this morning.  Maybe it had something to do with "hearing" this glorious text.  It is one thing to read the Bible voluminously, pray, worship, do missions, do good, etc., and pray the prayers for such endeavor which most pray.  "....Give to Your servant a hearing heart," is akin to, "Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven."  A "motto" of the Church and Kingdom is, "Jesus Christ is Lord," not you and I.  And, the only way you and I can do life victoriously is when we live and walk in, "Give to Your servant a hearing heart." 

Please, my Fellow Follower of Jesus Christ, if you pray anything for me, pray this prayer of Solomon.  I pray it for you!

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Give to Your servant a hearing heart."  Amen.

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If you want to keep up on some issues which most media don't cover, go to: jhs58.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"....And David Grew Faint"

"When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint."  (2 Samuel 21:15)

Or, just worn out.  Now no charismatic will admit to, "....grew faint"; but it happens.  I remember the last time I started to sprint across a street a couple of years ago; I fell.  Don't do that any more.

I know the word "retirement" is a bad word to some.  As for me, I plan to continue to serve any in the Church who still wish to receive these devotionals.  I still plan to go to DC, and wherever else Jesus goes, as in, "Whoever serves Me, must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will also be."  And, by Jesus' Grace and Mercy, I plan to continue to daily intercede for you and the nations.

I want to have David's attitude.  He was not as strong and agile as he used to be, but he still had the heart of a warrior to, "....fight the Lord's battles."  Every day presents opportunities to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, His Church, humanity.  One of my Grandfather Barnette's great "services" to me was his last words, "The other side is looking better."  That is serving Jesus until the "end."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I still pray to walk in all that You mean by, "mount up with wings as eagles."  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Jealousy Is As Cruel As The Grave"

"Then Saul cast a spear at him to kill him, by which Jonathan knew that it was determined by his father to kill David."  (1 Samuel 20:33)

I have told you, I think, that I have been on an every-two-month schedule of Bible reading, hence, the devotionals have been all from the readings.  Today's has me in 1 Samuel 20-2 Samuel 5.

"Jealousy is cruel as the grave," says Song of Solomon 8:6.  It can ruin a relationship between a man and a woman, among family members, business associates, etc.  It certainly was the ultimate downfall of Saul.  David was held in higher esteem than Saul, and from the day Saul discovered this and forward, Saul set out to kill David.  Again, "Jealousy is cruel as the grave."

Jealousy and envy are cousins.  Someone has what we don't, but wish we had.  It can lead to all sorts of evil, e.g., belittling the other person, always attempting to be and do something which will demonstrate that I am better than "the other," and live full of resentment that I do not measure up to the other.  And, I can say with certainty, that if this is not number 1, it is a very close second to reasons that local churches experience infighting at best, ultimately fail at worse.

This certainly manifested in the Twelve.  "Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved (this probably did not go unnoticed over the years by the 11) following....Peter, seeing him (probably first mistake), said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?'"  That was not a pastoral concern so that he could help John "find his place in the church."  I'm no Greek expert, but the Interlinear seems to indicate that Jesus' response is, "What?"  I wonder if it could be something like, "What are you really asking, Peter?"  Our Lord Jesus' command to Peter is the same for us all, "What is that to you?...You follow Me." 

Sorry for the length, but it seems to me that a key lesson here for all of us is that we never attempt to walk in another's "anointing."  We remember what happened to David when he put on Saul's armor.  He not only must have looked ridiculous, but he told Saul, "I cannot go in these,..because I am not used to them."  Jesus has gifted each of us with His giftings for us.  Don't attempt to put on "Saul's armor;" if you do, you will look as ridiculous as did David.  The Church needs all the gifts in all of us, and we are not to live as, "preferring one before another." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, Holy Spirit, "O, for grace to trust you more."  Amen.

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* Closing on our house is set for August 30.  Please pray for no glitches.

* Revealing article of what is now going on in Germany at: jhs58.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Come To Me, All...."

"So the children of Israel said to Samuel, 'Do no cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.'"  (1 Samuel 7:8)

Why didn't they?  Too many opt out of, "I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses...."  They depend on others to do their praying for them.  How foolish.  You and I were created for fellowship, participation in the Godhead.  "Adam, where are you?" is still the question of the Living Triune God to humanity.

Many of the Israelites, not only in our text, but also throughout much of Scripture, only seemed to see the Creator as a "go-to" in trouble.  What had happened to the intended fellowship, as we read in Genesis, "....the sound of the Lord God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day"?  Lost in rebellion; selfishness, self-centeredness, self-reliance had taken over.

"Abide in Me, and I in you...."  This is the intent of our Lord Jesus Christ from "ages past."  This is Jesus' intent for you and me today, right now.  "Philistines" will always be on the attack.  We want them to stop, but they won't, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  We do so appreciate others who pray for us, as we delight to pray for others.  May we not be like the Hebrews in our text, however, seemingly solely dependent on Samuel to "do the praying."  Prayer is fellowship, participation in the Living Triune God, regardless of "Philistines," trouble, pain. 

Prayer is a response to Jesus' invitation, "Come to Me, all...." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I say with the hymn writer, "Jesus, I come to Thee."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"In God We Boast---- All Day Long"

"For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.  But You have saved us....In God we boast all day long, and praise Your Name forever." (From Psalm 44:6-8)

What, "bow," and, "sword," are you trusting today?

We all have them.  Some have gotten better with them than others.  There is also great difficulty for many to discern between our, "bow," and, "sword," and, "But You have saved us...."  Only Jesus saves us.  Don't be like those seasoned detectives who carry two side arms---------- just in case they lose one.  The vernacular is, "back-up," i.e., if this doesn't work, I can always rely on my clever alternative.  There is none; what appears to be such is a mirage. 

Jesus is our, "Trust," and our, "Boast."  All other, "trust," and, "boast," is "sinking sand."  We have been given intellect, giftings, etc.  They are not, however, our, "trust," nor our, "boast."  Beware that second "gun" in your belt.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for my "bow" and "sword," but You Alone are my, "trust."  May I only ever, "boast," in You, "....all day long."  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2